There will be no youth this Sunday due to Memorial Day Weekend. Enjoy your holiday!

ABOVE AND BEYOND…

Cokes Chapel regularly presents “special offering” requests. Requests can be organizations outside our church, often representing United Methodist programs/ministries like Wesley Woods, or our Annual Conference offering. This year’s offering will go to support Ministerial Education Funds – more on that later!

Every special offering is important. We thank you for your generous giving! However, Finance asks that you please consider these requests as “above and beyond” your regular tithe. Some are on fixed incomes; others have various ways that we give. Your regular, steady giving is so important in the day to day financial picture. If you cut back your giving to benefit a special offering, it affects the steady flow we strive to maintain.

Finance thoughtfully considers each special request before it comes to you. Please pray about our request, and as you give to special offerings, give “above and beyond your regular tithe.”

Thank you for all you do, and for your continued support of God’s work at Cokes Chapel. You are a generous community in every way. Every gift counts! Thank you for yours!

VISION 11

Recently a group of folks from the 11:00 worship began a discernment process to address the changing dynamics of our 11:00 worship. Folks have moved on, and we are at a crossroads in addressing how we will move forward, to be effective in worship, discipleship, and outreach. Vision-11 is our prayerful process to allow God to lead our ministry discernment and path. Two weeks ago, we began our first of a series of prayer times.

Vision-11 team is reflecting on a specific topic in prayer, listening and meeting for 30-minutes for 4 weeks to seek God’s leading. On June 11, Rev. Tonya Morris, NGA Connectional Ministries will join us, or worship and prayer, and prepare us for a Saturday Vision-11 Retreat on Saturday, July 8 from 9-2.

Thank you to Brian Smith, Keith Simpson, Betsy Bagley, Jack Dempsey, Velda Graydon, Brenda Hanes, Mike and Patty White, Faith and Doug Genovese, Jerri Statham, Cindy & Craig Cox, Bobby Kirk, Meghan McMullan and Kim Reindl. What a great team!! Great things are happening! Please join in prayer discernment the week of May 14 as we listen to what God is telling us about “Who is our neighbor? Who should we reach out to in our community”?

SUMMER CLEANING

Many of you know that the special education students from East Coweta High School clean our church and fellowship hall as part of their outreach and domestic training education. With summer break upon us, we need a few volunteers who can take up the cleaning duties until school is back in session in August. Please contact Blair Graydon at blair@graydonsales.com.

SHORELINE CAMP

There are a few spots left to kids (and adult chaperones) for the Shoreline Camp opportunity at West Point Lake the week of July 9th through the 14th for rising 3rd through 9th grades. The Children’s Ministry will be holding a fundraising event to help defray the costs. If you would like more information, please contact Bobby Kirk (bkirk@cokeschapel.org or call 404-512-8890) for more details.

UMVIM TEAM LEADER TRAINING
On July 22nd the LaGrange District is offering training for current and potential mission team leaders. The training provides information networking necessary to be successful in planning and leading a mission team, whether local, regional, or international. Training will be held at the Turin United Methodist Church at 20 Longstreet Ave., Turin, GA 30289. The cost is $30 per person and will include lunch. Training will start at 9am and will last until approximately 1:00pm. Seating is limited. Contact LaGrange District Mission Coordinator, ReCoordinatory Holder at tom.holder@ngumc.net before May 31st to reserve a seat.

TRAINING on CPR/AED: you can save a life!
Training on how to use the CPR/AED (Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Automated External Defibrillator) will be held on Tuesday, June 27th at 7:00 – 8:30pm in the Contemporary Worship Center. The Trustees need several folks trained on how to use this life-saving equipment in the event of an emergency. Training is offered at a discounted rate (through the Scouts) of $5.00 per person and includes the certification. Training is limited to 50 participants. Deadline to register is Tuesday, June 20th. Contact Lara McCarthy for more information or to register. blrnycstl@earthlink.net home 678-423-9881; cell 678-548-2670

MILITARY PROJECT

Giving back to those that protect our freedoms in the USA – A small group of 8 soldiers from the 124th MPAD (Military Public Affairs Detachment) from the GA Army National Guard is deploying for a 12-month tour the beginning of July. They are having a Yellow Ribbon ceremony with their families in Peachtree City on Saturday, June 17th.

The Cokes Chapel Outreach Committee wanted to offer our gratitude and show some kindness to this group of soldiers. We are taking up an offering to put together bags for them — with supplies, snacks, and inspirational reading they can use while traveling, and we will present these gifts at the ceremony.

The Military Offering will be taken on Memorial Day Sunday, May 28th. Please give to show our gratitude for their service to our country.

TRAVELING? LEAVING TOWN?

Vacation time of year is quickly approaching. Don’t forget your church continues to operate even in the summer! You can give online through our website: www.cokeschapel.org, by PayPal, by downloading our Church App on your smartphone or tablet, or simply mail your check to the church office (4096 Lower Fayetteville Rd. Sharpsburg, GA 30277).

LIVE STREAMING

Each Sunday at 11:00 am we offer an online live stream of our 11:00 am Contemporary Worship Service! If you can’t make it to church, join us online and experience what God has in store for us each week! Find the link for the live stream at the top of our website: www.cokeschapel.org! ‘See’ you there! All sermons from the 9:00am Traditional Worship Service (some from 11am) are recorded and posted on our website www.cokeschapel.org under sermons.

We begin with our9am Traditional Worship in the Sanctuary, which is followed by our Advent Breakfast Celebration in the Contemporary Worship Center where we can share our Advent Bible study stories with one another!

At 4:45 pm in the sanctuary we invite everyone back to worship with our choir, The Celebration Singers, as they present the annual Christmas Cantata titled “The First Noel, Born is a King” (Special music will begin at 4:45 pm).

No matter what service you attend, be sure to check the alphabetized boxes in the Narthex of the Sanctuary for Christmas Cards! Even if you do not give cards, you are bound to receive some! Check your mailbox this Sunday!!

Todd Family/Trinity House

The Todd’s have collected “most” of what they need to feed the homeless at Trinity Table. They could still use individual, single-serve, pull-top containers of spaghetti, ravioli, etc. Oranges would be welcome as well!

Christmas Eve

At 5pm on Christmas Eve, The Graydon family invites everyone to come help set out luminaries

in our cemetery and church grounds to prepare for our Candlelight services to follow.

At 7pm in the Contemporary Worship Center, we will have our Contemporary Candlelight Communion Service.

At 9pm in the Sanctuary, we will have our Traditional Candlelight Communion Service.

At 11am in the Sanctuary, we will have a combined Celebration Worship service on Christmas Morning to celebrate the birth of our Savior, Jesus!! Come celebrate the birth of our Savior on a special CHRISTmas morning!!

Our next gathering will be on Saturday, December 3 in the Fellowship Hall from 10am to 2pm. For our December project, we will be making a wreath! You can make a Christmas wreath or an all occasion wreath. Cindy Cox will be teaching this class. We hope you will plan to attend. Please bring a snack to share and your own beverage.

WITH A COVERED DISH TO FOLLOW

OPERATION CHRISTMAS CHILD

We will be participating in Operation Christmas Child once again this year. If you would like this opportunity to fill a shoe box with goodies for a child around the world, please take a box home. You’ll find one or more in the Narthex or Contemporary Worship Center. Instructions are included in each box. Please put your name on the list as well, which will help us keep track of the boxes. Thank you! Return no later than November 6.

NEW CRAFT GROUP! NEWS FLASH: Calling all crafters! We are forming a craft corner at Cokes Chapel and would like to invite all crafters and wannabe crafters to come and join us on Saturday, October 1 in the Fellowship Hall across the street from the church from 10:00am to 2:00pm. Bring a snack or finger food to share and a craft item for “show and tell” or, if you just want to come and see what the buzz is all about, please mark your calendar for Saturday, October 1!! Spread the word!! Hope to see you there!!

BBQ FUNDRAISER & BAKE SALE – SUNDAY, OCTOBER 23

The Cokes Chapel UMM is supporting Boy Scout Troop 2193 through this delicious fundraiser! Tickets are being sold by the McCarthy family and the Collins family. They are $8/BBQ plate. Bake goods, Brunswick stew and drinks will be available for sale that day! You can stay and fellowship with your friends and eat in at the Fellowship Hall from 12 to 1:30 pm. Can’t stay? No problem! Orders to go also — from 10am to 1pm.

SOME FUN OUTING OPPORTUNITIES!

For Cokes Chapel Ladies:

Mercier Orchards in Blue Ridge, GA

Monday, October 10th

Leave the church 9am & return late afternoon

Sign up to reserve your seat on the bus!

Gail Brooke – 770-328-9986

Country Living Fair at Stone Mountain

Friday, October 21

One day tickets $16/$13 in advance

Sign up to reserve your seat on the bus!

Joyce Harman – 251-786-4102

For Sizzlin’ Seniors:

Atlanta Botanical Gardens

Tour Chihuly in the Garden exhibit

Tuesday, October 18th

Leave the church at 10am & return late afternoon

Sign up to reserve your seat on the bus!

Gail Brooke – 770-328-9986

“TRUNK OR TREAT” is Sunday, October 30th! Please remember to sign-up to provide a “trunk” and pass out candy. This fall celebration will take place from 3-5 pm on the back field. Also, we are in need of candy and trinkets to be used as prizes and to supplement candy supplies. Drop off bins will be provided. Trunk or Treat is a special opportunity for the people of Cokes Chapel to reach out to the children of the Childcare Center, the community, and the church through an afternoon of fun and fellowship! We hope that everyone chooses to take part in this church wide event!”

Next Sunday we will have a combined worship with both Traditional choir and Praise band, a rousing worship service and a time of commitment, followed by a covered dish meal in the Contemporary Worship Center.

Mark your calendar for one combinedAmazing Worship Service on Sunday, Oct. 2 at 10:30 am!

It’s time to sign up for a Bible Study! We’ll be studying Disciple III this year — The Prophets and The Letters of Paul — entitled Remember Who You Are. Jennie Underwood will be facilitating this class. It’s not too late — class begins Sunday, October 2 @ 6PM in the Fellowship Hall. Contact the church office if you would like to order a book!

UM Blessing Home for Children – Thailand

THIS SUNDAY IS THE LAST SUNDAY THAT WE WILL BE COLLECTING GUMMY VITAMINS FOR THE CHILDREN’S HOME IN THAILAND!

NEW CRAFT GROUP!

NEWS FLASH: Calling all crafters! We are forming a craft corner at Cokes Chapel and would like to invite all crafters and wannabe crafters to come and join us on Saturday, October 1 in the Fellowship Hall across the street from the church from 10:00am to 2:00pm. Bring a snack or finger food to share and a craft item for “show and tell” or, if you just want to come and see what the buzz is all about, please mark your calendar for Saturday, October 1!! Spread the word!! Hope to see you there!!

In the next three weeks we will grow together in faith through learning, serving, worshiping, praying and being present together. All these activities come out of your heart commitment to Christ.

We will hear stories of the heart that Cokes Chapel has brought to life in our community. You will be receiving a list of ministry opportunities and a pledge card by mail. Please prayerfully consider the ways that you will serve Christ at Cokes for the coming year.

On Oct. 2nd we will have a combined worship with both Traditional choir and Praise band, a rousing worship service and a time of commitment, followed by a covered dish meal in the Contemporary Worship Center.

So mark your calendar for one combined Amazing Worship Service on Sunday, October 2 at 10:30 am!

Trinity Soup Kitchen, September 25th!

We’ll be collecting spaghetti dinner and sandwich ingredients again this year as a group from our church will travel and serve at the kitchen that day. (See insert.) (Lunch) packing day has been set for Saturday, September 24th in the Fellowship Hall at 9am. Mark your calendars!

It’s time to sign up for a Bible Study! We’ll be studying Disciple III this year — The Prophets and The Letters of Paul — entitled Remember Who You Are. Jennie Underwood will be facilitating this class. Sign up on Sunday for an informational meeting at 6PM on September 18th in the Fellowship Hall.

UM Blessing Home for Children – Thailand

Mickey and Jerri Statham’s daughter and son-in-law, Allie and David Houle will be traveling to Thailand to visit the United Methodist Blessing Home for children. Allie asked what they could bring and was told that they have vitamins for the children but they don’t taste good and the children don’t like to take them so gummy vitamins would be a welcome gift. They are leaving the last week in September so we have 3 Sundays to collect. Allie and David have asked their church to donate and of course, we can help too. They hope to take a whole suitcase full. You can read about the Blessing home at http://www.thailandmethodist.org/

We grow together in faith through learning, serving, worshiping, praying and being present together for these things. All these activities come out of your heart commitment you made to Christ. We will be remembering the stories of the heart that Cokes Chapel has brought to life in our community. Through music, shared stories and sermon, we will give thanks for what God has done in our lives and then prayerfully commit together on Oct. 2 the ways we will serve Christ at Cokes for the coming year.

We will be having a combined worship with both Traditional choir and Praise band, a rousing worship service and a time of commitment, followed by a covered dish meal in the Contemporary Worship Center. Plan now to pray about what God is calling you to do, from your heart to build the Kingdom in this community in 2017, and block out your calendar for one combined

Amazing Worship Service on Sunday, Oct. 2 at 10:30 am

!

Join Pastor Lisa for a 2 evening class, Sunday, September 11 and 18th from 4-6 pmin the Contemporary Worship Center. Learn Methodist history, a little bit about John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, some history and polity, and ways that Cokes Chapel is living out the commission to make disciples for Jesus Christ. Each week, our leadership will join us to share about their area of ministry so you can begin to discern the way that you can connect.

Following this class, we will have a “Joining Sunday” on September 25 for those who are ready to make a commitment to serving Christ through Cokes. Members are also welcome to sit in and learn too!

Please notify Barbara or Pastor Lisa at the church office, office@cokeschapel.org so that we have enough printed materials for everyone. See you there!

UM Blessing Home for Children – Thailand

Mickey and Jerri Statham’s daughter and son-in-law, Allie and David Houle will be traveling to Thailand to visit the United Methodist Blessing Home for children. Allie asked what they could bring and was told that they have vitamins for the children but they don’t taste good and the children don’t like to take them so gummy vitamins would be a welcome gift. They are leaving the last week in September so we have 3 Sundays to collect. Allie and David have asked their church to donate and of course we can help too. They hope to take a whole suitcase full.

We’ll be collecting spaghetti dinner and sandwich ingredients again this year as a group from our church will travel and serve at the kitchen that day. (Details will follow.) (Lunch) packing day has been set for Saturday, September 24th in the Fellowship Hall at 9am. Mark your calendars!

There will be NO Children’s Sunday School this Sunday, Sept. 11th due to the Children’s Retreat, Please be in prayer for our kids and chaperones who will be spending the weekend at Camp Glisson.

Cokes Chapel YOUTH will meet this Sunday, September 11th from 5:00-7:00 pm in the Youth House. All youth, 6th-12th grade, are encouraged to attend! Kim Reindl will be leading as Interim Youth Director for the month of September. We will have a mission and outreach focus this month. Come prepared to have fun together as we grow in relationship with God and one another!

in the Contemporary Worship Center. Learn Methodist history, a little bit about John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, some history and policy, and ways that Cokes Chapel is living out the commission to make disciples for Jesus Christ. Each week, our leadership will join us to share about their area of ministry so you can begin to discern the way that you can connect.

Following this class, we will have a “Joining Sunday” on September 25 for those who are ready to make a commitment to serving Christ through Cokes. Members are also welcome to sit in and learn too!

Please notify Barbara or Pastor Lisa at the church office, office@cokeschapel.org so that we have enough printed materials for everyone. See you there!

We are LOOKING FOR a few good VOLUNTEERS!

The 11:00 Worship service needs Sound Technicians with experience for stage set-up and running of sound during rehearsal and the church service, including

-A knowledge (or willingness to learn) of the mixing/EQ process -knowledge of sound equipment (what is needed and how to set up)

Morning tasks include:

-pre- check equipment to assure all is working properly before

worship & able change out as necessary

-knowledge of live streaming helpful

Contact : megcmcmullan@gmail.com

We’re now streaming the 11 contemporary service. The link will be on our FB page and website. But for ease of use, here it is as well:

The church family is hosting a game and cookout for our youth today, Sunday, August 28th at 6:00. We’ll have a great meal and some really fun games. An evening planned just for our youth!

BIBLE STUDY CLASS

A Bible Study group will begin meeting Thursday, September 8th in the evenings at the Youth House! The group is studying the book of John. Don Harman is the leader of this group and invites everyone who might be interested to attend. For additional information, contact drharman@live.com

An article from the North Georgia Conference —

Victories Piling Up

By Doug Thrasher

I attended worship at Little River UMC recently to visit with one of our new pastors in the District, Dr. Gale Siebert.

They were serving Holy Communion that day and in her homily Gale spoke to the scripture, “Come to me all you (as opposed to the Southern “all y’all”) who are weary and heavy burdened, and I will give you rest.” (Matthew 11:29) She also spoke a little regarding the phrase, “Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:30) I really appreciated her pastoral preaching and truly felt as if I had come to the person, Jesus, in whom I could find rest for my soul. (Yes, DSs have souls.)

But, what arrested me and got me to pondering while Communion was being served was the next verse: “For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:31)

I found myself thinking about the yoke. A yoke is usually a wooden instrument that joins two oxen or horses together in order for them to work in tandem to accomplish some task that an animal would not normally do by itself. Here, Jesus says to us to take His yoke upon us, which means to me that Christians are to take the second side of the yoke, Christ being in the other side. It means that we are doing a work in tandem with Jesus, our strength and His strength together, to accomplish a task that we would not normally do by ourselves — make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

But, here’s the kicker. We’re not supposed to do this work by ourselves. We are yoked to Jesus through the Holy Spirit.

I played Church League Basketball for many years. One year, we had two guys who were each 6’7” or taller that joined the church and played for our team. We went undefeated that year. I also learned something — basketball is a different game when you’ve got the big men on your team.

In Jesus Christ we are yoked to the “Big Man.” He makes it easy. He makes the burden light. We simply need to work beside Him, and we’ll see the victories piling up!

Rev. Doug Thrasher is District Superintendent of the Atlanta Roswell District. You may contact him at doug.thrasher@ngumc.net.

Luthersville Senior Center is one of the charitable organizations that Cokes Chapel sponsors on a regular basis. Although the name might be familiar to many in our congregation, it is most likely that the majority do not know exactly what our role is or what the Center is all about.

For many years, our volunteers went to Luthersville on a regular basis, delivering items of clothing, food, and other needs to the Center. In most recent years, we have provided money for food to be purchased for the meals prepared for these senior citizens.

This past week, Pastor Lisa and several members made the trip to Luthersville to see what actually takes place on a day to day basis.

When we arrived, bringing food for the day’s meal, we were greeted by two of their volunteers, and taken into the kitchen where they prepare lunch for the elderly three days a week. The first thing we noticed was no air conditioning in the kitchen or in the cafeteria area where they serve the meals. (This is an old school that has been converted to serve many functions. Luckily, we were informed that the City Council has recently approved funds to air condition these rooms!! – However, too late for the 90 plus degree days we have been experiencing.)

Our next stop was the activity room (air conditioned, yea!!!) where all types of events take place. We were introduced to approximately 20 ladies who make up their quilting group; these quilts are not made with a sewing machine – but every stitch is by hand. There were probably 10 to 15 quilts completed, some ready to take to the Cotton Pickin’ Fair in Gay, GA to sell. Proceeds from these quilts go toward the operation expenses of the Center. We gathered around the table with the ladies who were having their daily devotion, and listened to some beautiful testimonies. While sitting around the table, Pastor Lisa was given some quilting squares and a needle and thread – we thought we would have to leave her there, she was so caught up in the pure delight of sewing (one of her favorite pastimes.)

More seniors arrived as we prepared to have lunch with these dear ladies. We learned that they come to the Center three days a week, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday from 9-2, to participate in different activities, but mainly for companionship and support. One lady told us that she had experienced four deaths in her family in the past year, and if it were not for the support of her friends at the Center she did not know how she could have survived.

We came away that day knowing that we had received a true blessing from these dear ones. Cokes Chapel’s acts of kindness toward this group has impacted many lives and continues to do so. So when you give your communion offering on Sunday mornings, please remember that part of it is supporting Luthersville’s efforts to provide for their elderly citizens.